Calendar Picks and Clicks for June 6–12, 2009

(POETRY + MUSIC)
“Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women” is a collaborative effort by 135 women of different spiritualities. The 400-page anthology is filled with essays, songs, poetry and photography by Irish, Hispanic, Armenian, Native American and Jewish artists. Jewish author-poet Deena Metzger and Deborah Edler Brown, along with several other contributors will perform at a joint poetry and music concert to celebrate the publication of the book. Sat. 7:30 p.m. $15. Unitarian Universalist Church, 12355 Moorpark St., Studio City. (310) 815-1060. www.sisterssinging.com.

(THEATER)
Edward Asner stars in the 17th season of the Celebrity Staged Play Reading with “The Immigrant” by Mark Harelik, a true story about an Eastern European immigrant who settles in a tiny Texas town as the only Jew. The play also stars Bruce Nozick, Alexandra More and Rande Leaman. Sat. 7:30 p.m. $14 (members, students and seniors), $16 (general). Valley Cities JCC, 14701 Friar St., Van Nuys. (818) 786-6310. Also, June 7, 2 p.m. $14, $16. Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 938-2531, ext. 2225. www.westsidejcc.org.

SUN | JUNE 7

(CONCERT)
The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony and the KindredSPIRITS Interfaith Gospel Choir will be among the performers at an interfaith humanitarian aid concert in honor of Heifer International, a global nonprofit working to end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability. The concert will also feature Cantors Ilan Davidson (tenor), Ron LiPaz (baritone) and Ilysia Pierce (soprano) as well as special guest celebrities as presenters. Sun. 7 p.m. $54-$180. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (424) 785-1563. www.kindredspiritslive.org.

(DARFUR)
The third annual Walk for Darfur: Walk to End Genocide, sponsored by Jewish World Watch, will take place at the Pierce College Farm Center in the Valley. The walk is a chance for the community to speak out against genocide and raise funds for the educational, advocacy and humanitarian efforts of Jewish World Watch, which has provided more than $2 million in direct assistance to the survivors of the genocide. After the walk, a free Awareness Fair will feature speakers, music and information about the campaign to end genocide. Sun. 9 a.m.-noon. Pierce College Farm Center, 20800 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 501-1836. Register to walk: www.jewishworldwatch.org.

MON | JUNE 8

(ART)
“Roy Lichtenstein/Jasper Johns: Prints” is an exhibition of some of the two American masters’ graphics from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Well-known works of art, such as Johns’ triptych, “Usuyuki,” and Lichtenstein’s “At the Beach,” from his Surrealist Series, will be on display at the gallery. Gallery hours: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibition runs through June 29. Leslie Sacks Fine Art, 11640 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (310) 820-9448. www.lesliesacks.com.

TUE | JUNE 9

(CONCERT)
Rock artist Ivri Lider was voted 2005’s “Male Singer of the Year” by Israeli radio stations, and his songs have consistently topped the Israeli singles chart since he broke into its music scene in the late 1990s. The singer-songwriter is the headliner for a concert celebrating Tel Aviv’s centennial, also featuring an after party with DJ Asaf Amdursky. 21 and over. Tue. 8 p.m. $45 (general), $75 (VIP). Avalon, 1735 Vine St., Hollywood. (323) 309-3711. www.wantickets.com.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

WED | JUNE 10

(RELIGION)
Humanitarian, yogi and mystic Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the world. Vasudev spoke to an audience of 500,000 in India in April and will be giving a rare nondenominational talk in Los Angeles, “Is There a Spirituality We All Can Share?” Following the lecture, Rabbi David Wolpe will conduct a Q-and-A session with Vasudev and author Cheryl Simone will sign her book, “Midnights With the Mystic,” about her late-night discussions with the guru. Wed. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P. required, (310) 481-3243. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

(AUTHOR TALK)
Gina Nahai, a bestselling author, full-time lecturer at USC’s Master of Professional Writing Program and Jewish Journal columnist, will talk about her novels and the writing process at an author talk at Westwood Branch Library. The Iranian-born novelist wrote “Caspian Rain,” “Sunday’s Silence,” “Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith” and “Cry of the Peacock.” Wed. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Free. Westwood Branch Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1739. www.lapl.org.

(GALA)
Chabad of the Conejo is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a grand gala banquet, “Gateway to the Future.” At the gala, Chabad will be paying tribute to three honorees — Renee Overton, Mark and Renee Horwitz and Hal and Judy Standel — as well as memorializing the late Evelyn Overton. The program will be followed by a concert featuring Broadway singer Jordan Bennett and comedian Mark Schiff. Wed. 5:30 p.m. $270. Warner Center Marriott Hotel, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills. (818) 991-0991. www.chabadgala.com.

THU | JUNE 11

(THEATER)
Start the summer off under the stars with the Ford Amphitheatre’s first of three Upright Cabaret evenings. “Shoshana Sings Streisand — A Happening at the Ford” stars former “Wicked” star Shoshana Bean singing Streisand’s biggest hits, as well as songs from her own debut album, “Superhero.” Thu. 8:30 p.m. $40-$80. John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. www.uprightcabaret.com/events.

(THEATER)
In “Harriett Levy: Back by Popular Demand” Todd Waddington plays the titular role of Harriett, an actress, chanteuse, priestess, lounge lizard and metaphysical life coach whose life in the limelight began when Cecil B. DeMille cast her as a stuntwoman in “The Ten Commandments.” The vaudeville-style show takes inspiration from Charles Busch, Charles Pierce, Belle Barth and Dame Edna. Thu. 8 p.m. Through July 19. $19. Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 960-7792. www.plays411.com/harriettlevy.

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